TRIPOLI: Hundreds of migrants have been relocated in Libya’s capital from government-run detention centers after getting trapped by clashes between rival groups, UN and aid sources said on Thursday.
The migrants had been abandoned after their guards fled fighting pitting rival groups vying for power and state funds, a recurring theme in the North African country since the chaotic overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising.
Hundreds of migrants have been brought to a “safer place” from two centers run by the UN-backed government from the Ain Zara area in southeastern Tripoli, aid workers said.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR “in coordination with other agencies and the Department for Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM) facilitated the transport of all persons in Ain Zara,” it said in a statement.
The migrants were mainly Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali nationals who were brought to a separate detention center away from fighting.
However, a few people were still awaiting their evacation at Ain Zara, an official at a separate international organization said.
Libya is the main departure point in North Africa for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe, mainly from other parts of Africa.
The number of crossings has sharply fallen off since Italy provided the coast guard with more boats and brokered deals with local groups in a smuggler hub last year.
Libya evacuates with UN help migrants trapped by Tripoli clashes
Libya evacuates with UN help migrants trapped by Tripoli clashes
- The migrants were mainly Eritrean, Ethiopian and Somali nationals
- Libya is the main departure point in North Africa for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe
Abbas reaffirms support for Christian presence in Palestine
- Palestinian leader receives delegation of bishops at presidential headquarter in Ramallah
RAMALLAH: President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday received a delegation of bishops from the Evangelical Lutheran Church, headed by Bishop Imad Haddad, at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah, in the presence of Ramzi Khoury, chairman of the Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine.
Abbas welcomed Haddad, congratulating him on assuming his duties as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Lands, headquartered in Jerusalem, and wishing him success in leading the church.
The president also extended his congratulations to Christians worldwide on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year, highlighting full support for preserving the authentic Christian presence in Palestine.
FASTFACT
President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed that Palestinian Christians are an integral part of the Palestinian people, with a historical record of coexistence and harmony among all components of society.
He said that Palestinian Christians are an integral part of the Palestinian people, with a historical record of coexistence and harmony among all components of society.
Haddad thanked Abbas for his continuous support for the church and the preservation of the Christian presence in Palestine, adding that he will work to strengthen cooperation between the church and the state of Palestine to support believers and secure their presence in the Holy Land.
Also on Saturday, Israeli forces shut down the two gates erected at the entrance to the village of Atara, northwest of Ramallah, according to a WAFA correspondent.
He said Israeli troops sealed off the gates to those entering and exiting the towns of Birzeit and Atara, causing significant disruption to the movement of residents.
The road is considered a main route for those heading to and from the nearby city of Ramallah.
Simultaneously, Israeli forces set up a checkpoint at the entrance to Ein Sinya, north of Ramallah, for those exiting the town. They stopped several vehicles and checked the IDs of Palestinian residents, causing a severe traffic jam.
Israeli forces raided the town of Al-Mazra’a Al-Sharqiya, east of Ramallah, on Saturday and seized a Palestinian vehicle.
According to local sources, a large unit of Israeli soldiers stormed Al-Mazra’a Al-Sharqiya, seizing a private vehicle.
A settler sealed an agricultural road in the village of Al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, local sources said.
They said that the settler closed the road leading to the Abu Hamam hamlet, south of the village, preventing residents from accessing their agricultural lands.
On Friday, the Israeli army detained four international solidarity activists from the same hamlet while they were attempting to document colonist attacks and provide support to local residents.
